Painesville City Fire Department, 28 Mentor Avenue, Painesville, OH (2026)

05/26/2026

Frequently at the Fire Department, we receive calls asking where hazardous household waste can be safely disposed of.

The Lake County Department of Utilities and the Lake County Solid Waste District are hosting a Hazardous Waste Collection Event at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville Township.

This is a great opportunity to safely dispose of items such as:
• Paints, stains, thinners
• Household cleaners
• Automotive cleaners
• Pesticides, fertilizers, pool chemicals
• Batteries and other hazardous materials
• Propane tanks

Please help keep our community and environment safe by disposing of these materials properly instead of placing them in regular trash.

For accepted items, event dates, and additional details, please see below or visit the Lake County Solid Waste District at https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/utilities/solid-waste-management-district/ or contact them directly.

05/18/2026

Our Annual Retirees Breakfast is right around the corner! 🥞🚒

Hosted in partnership with IAFF Local 434, we’re looking forward to gathering with our retired firefighters and welcoming active members on Friday, June 13th from 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM for a morning of great food, fellowship, and catching up with old friends.

Please RSVP by May 31st (if you haven’t already) so we can plan accordingly for food.

📞 Chief Hummel: 440-392-5849
📧 [email protected]

or contact retired FF Tom Orban.

Breakfast will be served by the amazing Flavors Around the Square (F.A.T.S.) mobile food trailer! 🍳☕🥓

We hope to see everyone there!

05/13/2026

On May 12, LT. Chris Young and FF’s Ryan Jeric and Kyle Friebertshauser were honored for their part in rescuing a civilian from a fire on September 27, 2025 in Painesville Township. Along with Painesville Township LT. Kevin Falvey and FF’s Gary Reed and Matt Watson, they received a Valor Award from the Ohio State Fire Marshal at the 45th annual Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame and Fire Awards Ceremony in Columbus, Ohio. Words cannot express how proud we are of these individuals. Our personnel work daily to protect the lives and livelihoods of the residents, citizens and visitors to the City of Painesville and surrounding Lake County. It is humbling to see these individuals recognized for putting their lives on the line to save another. (pictured L-R are LT. Chris Young, Exec. Capt. Mark Jonovich, Chief Tom Hummel, FF Ryan Jeric, FF Kyle Friebertshauser and LT. Brennan Carden (Pres. IAFF L-434).

In addition to these people, Lt. Mike Fearing of the Concord FD received an award for Ohio Fire Service Instructor of the Year, and Fire Chief (retired) Tony Hutton of the Kirtland FD received an award for Ohio Fire Officer of the Year.

This was a very proud day for all of Lake County, Ohio as we celebrated the achievements of these fine first responders. Please be sure to congratulate them if you see them out and about in the community.

05/08/2026

Today, 5/8/26, local high school students had the opportunity to witness a demonstration hosted by SRO Jordan, the Painesville Police Department, and the Painesville City Fire Department, ahead of prom weekend.

The demonstration showed the very real and life-changing consequences of impaired driving. First responders walked everyone through what happens at the scene of a serious drunk driving crash, including the critical assessments that must be made before injured civilians can be safely moved. Students also saw the specialized rescue equipment used to gain access to heavily damaged vehicles — including the “Jaws of Life,” heavy-duty pry bars, and other extraction tools used in emergency situations.

Painesville Police Department also educated the students on what a field sobriety test looks like, and participated in activities using drunk goggles to compare sober reactions and coordination versus being under the influence. Thank you to the student volunteers who helped make the message even more impactful.

With prom tomorrow, this demonstration served as an important reminder that one decision can change lives forever. Thank you to SRO Jordan and school staff for organizing this and allowing the us the opportunity to educate and protect our students and community.

** We make this post with consideration that "high school students" means underage consumption - we do not promote this. We just want to bring light to the matter. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates one-third of all alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occur during the April–June prom and graduation season, and roughly 1 in 4 teen car crash deaths involve alcohol**

Please be responsible, look out for one another, and never drive impaired. Have fun, stay safe, and make smart choices this prom season. 💙🚒🚑🚓

05/04/2026

May 2, 2026
For General Release

A man was rescued from the base of a cliff along the Grand River late Saturday night following a coordinated multi-agency response.

On May 2, 2026, at about 9:36 p.m., the Painesville City Fire Department (PCFD) was dispatched for a person in distress along the Grand River near Grand River Avenue. PCFD crews responded along with Automatic Mutual Aid from the Fairport Harbor FD and the Perry Joint Fire District. On arrival they learned that responding Painesville PD officer had located the male on the west bank of the river but due to darkness and poor conditions could not reach him directly.

Fire personnel put a boat in the river at Steele Avenue and located the male at the base of the cliff near the riverbank off Bank Street. The boat crew secured the male and moved him downriver to a safe area where he was turned over to Painesville PD officers. Later the male requested medical care and was transported to Tripoint Hospital by PCFD with minor injuries.

Perry personnel assisted PCFD personnel with boat handling, and Fairport Harbor personnel provided downriver safety and assisted with boat removal. There were no injuries to first responders.

Thomas C. Hummel, Jr.
Fire Chief

04/28/2026

We’re excited to share some great news! 🎉

On Monday, April 27th, we proudly swore in two new firefighter/paramedics to the Painesville City Fire Department — welcome Noah Telisman and Daniel Zdraveff! 🚒

Both bring valuable experience from fellow Lake County departments, including Wickliffe, Willowick, and Concord, and they’re already making impressive strides learning the “Painesville way.”

We’re thrilled to have them on the team and can’t wait to see all they accomplish as they grow with our department. Join us in giving them a warm welcome! 👏

04/02/2026

Oftentimes, in the excitement of multiple promotions, retirements and new hires, an appointment can get overlooked.

On March 31, 2026, Captain Mark Jonovich was appointed to fill the position of Executive Fire Captain, replacing Captain Bob Mrokso on his retirement.

Mark is a 22-year veteran of PCFD, with 7+ years as a Fire Captain, in charge of Fleet and Equipment Maintenance. He is a Paramedic, and holds Fire Safety Inspector as well as Fire and EMS Instructor certifications.

We are looking forward to having Mark in the Administration Office, as his knowledge of computers and software will be invaluable to the operation of the department. He will also assist all officers in their duties, along with responding to emergencies.

04/02/2026

🚒 Smoke Detector Program for City Residents 🚒

The Painesville City Fire Department is proud to partner with the American Red Cross to help keep our community safe by providing free smoke detector installations to residents within Painesville City.

Through this program, we are able to install up to three (3) smoke detectors per household at NO COST. These detectors are equipped with sealed, long-life lithium batteries that last up to 10 years, meaning they are always on and do not require battery replacements.

Because this is a partnered program with the American Red Cross, there are a couple of important requirements:
• Smoke detectors must be installed by our personnel (we cannot provide them for pickup)
• A short installation form must be completed at the time of service

⚠️ Please note: This program does not cover hardwired smoke detectors. Hardwired systems are typically found in newer homes, apartments, and multi-unit dwellings built from the 1990s to present. In Painesville City, examples include neighborhoods such as Heisley Park and Rivers Edge.

🏠 For our renters:
Painesville City Code Section 1507.02 requires property owners/landlords to provide and maintain working smoke detectors. While we are always happy to assist and will never turn anyone away, it is important for tenants to understand their rights and hold property owners accountable in the City of Painesville.

🔥 Working smoke detectors save lives—early warning makes all the difference.

If you or someone you know in Painesville City needs smoke detectors installed, please reach out to us to schedule an appointment or to learn more about the program.

I have included a link below from the NFPA, indicating where smoke detectors should (and shouldn't) be present:

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/smoke-alarms/installing-and-maintaining-smoke-alarms

Stay safe and take care of one another, Painesville! ❤️

03/20/2026

Recently, we said “so long” to two long-standing Painesville City Firefighters. On March 11th Captain John Niehus worked his last shift at our department, bringing a 35-year career to its conclusion. John joined our ranks on August 5th, 1991, and during his career was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Captain, and also served as the Executive Captain. During his career, John was awarded a Flood Ribbon, a CSX Ribbon, and 2 Unit Citations.

On March 13th Captain Bob Mrosko worked his last day at our department, closing the book on a 31-year career. Bob joined our ranks on February 19, 1995, and during his career was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, Captain, and was also the longest serving Executive Captain in the department. During his career, Bob was awarded a Flood Ribbon, a CSX Ribbon, and a Unit Citation. Bob was also selected as Fire Officer of the Year in 2011 and 2014.

We say “so long” instead of “goodbye” because these two firefighters, like all those who have gone before us, are always welcome through our door at the fire station-to stop in, say “hi”, share a cup of coffee and some stories. It is incumbent on those of us who remain to carry forward the legacy that John and Bob carried during their time here; a legacy that was passed to them by those who went before them. The members of the Painesville City Fire Department, the employees of the City of Painesville, and the residents who you selflessly served during your time here wish you all the best in a long and enjoyable retirement.

03/20/2026

We are proud to announce the promotions of four of our personnel! Lieutenants Brandon Noe and Paul Algier are being promoted to Captain. They will be taking spots opened up by the retirements of Captains John Niehus and Bob Mrosko. Brandon’s new assignment will be Captain on C-Shift, and he will inherit the responsibility for Fleet and Equipment Maintenance, as well as overseeing the Fire Investigation Unit. Paul’s new assignment will be Captain on A-Shift and he will inherit the responsibility of EMS Equipment, Supplies and EMS Training. Paul will also assist with Juvenile Fire Setters and Community Risk Reduction.

Firefighters Drew Lemmerbrock and Brennan Carden are being Promoted to Lieutenant. They will be taking spots opened up by the promotions of the two new Captains. Drew’s new assignment will be Lieutenant on B-Shift, and he will be assisting Captain Grubach with Station Supplies and Station Maintenance, as well as Fire Hose and Hydrants. Brennan’s new assignment will be Lieutenant on C-Shift, and he will be assisting Captain Noe with Fleet and Equipment Maintenance.

All four of these promoted officers have training in specialty areas such as Hazardous Materials Technician, Technical Rescue, Fire and EMS Training, and Public Education, in addition to their Fire and Paramedic skills. We are certainly fortunate to have these new additions to our dedicated group of Fire Officers.

We invite family, first responders, and other city personnel to join us in welcoming them into their new roles.

Painesville City Fire Department

05/26/2026

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